The first main objective of this course is to provide a basic
understanding of the literary trajectory of the century: the main
movements, trends, and innovations in fiction, poetry, and drama
written in English since 1900. The second main objective is to test
the limits of that trajectory of literary history, and see where it
does and doesn’t break down. To accomplish the first objective, we
will cover eras and movements such as high, low, and American
Modernism; the Harlem Renaissance; post-WWII movements such as the
Beats and feminist poetry; and the recent explosion of narrative
subjectivities, which many would term postmodern and/or
postcolonial. As for the second objective, it’s impossible to
squeeze over a century into an eight-week course, so we will first
acknowledge the ways that a time-restricted syllabus that focuses
almost entirely on English and American works (as does this one)
will seriously skew any attempts at a comprehensive understanding
of “literatures in English” in this period. Then, since we will be
analyzing these works from the vantage of the twenty-first century,
it’s our job to test, question, and redefine fast-solidifying
classifications of the previous century, which might threaten to
restrict future interpretations of this era.

To pass this course you will need to successfully write two papers,
one short and one long; participate in a small-group presentation;
and pass a midterm and a final. A participation grade will factor
in attendance, discussion, and possible quizzes.